Wheel center cap with radial lock

Abstract

A cap assembly for a wheel including a cup-shaped cap member having a plurality of annular ridges disposed around a circumference thereof, and a retainer ring having a plurality of axially extending flange portions disposed around a circumference thereof. The retainer ring is slidably coupled to the cup-shaped member, the axially extending flange portions are angled relative to a position normal to the ring, and the plurality of axially extending flange portions correspond to the plurality of annular ridges. When the cap assembly is inserted into the wheel, the retainer ring slides along the cup-shaped member and the annular ridges force the axially extending flange portions to the position normal to the ring to attach the flange portions to the wheel.

1. A cap assembly for a wheel, comprising:
 a cap member having an axially extending cylindrical portion and at least one ridge that extends radially outward from said cylindrical portion; and 
 a retainer ring having a plurality of axially extending flange portions slidably coupled to said cap member, said axially extending flange portions angled relative to a position normal said ring, 
 wherein when the cap assembly is inserted into the wheel, said retainer ring slides along said cap member and said ridge forces said axially extending flange portions to said position normal said ring to attach said flange portions to the wheel; and 
 said cylindrical portion includes a guide member, and said retainer ring includes a slot corresponding to said guide member. 
 
     
     
       2. The cap assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said flange portions include a tab including a first contour, said first contour engaging the wheel. 
     
     
       3. The cap assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said tab includes a second contour and said ridge includes a lip, said second contour engaging said lip. 
     
     
       4. The cap assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said flange portions include a tab having a contour and said ridge includes a lip, said contour corresponding to said lip. 
     
     
       5. The cap assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said axially extending flange portions are disposed at 120 degree intervals around said ring. 
     
     
       6. The cap assembly of claim, wherein said cap member includes a plurality of ridges extending radially outward from said cylindrical portion, said ridges disposed at 120 degree intervals around said cylindrical portion. 
     
     
       7. A cap assembly for a wheel, comprising:
 a cap member having an axially extending cylindrical portion and a plurality of ridges that extend radially outward from said cylindrical portion disposed around a circumference thereof; and 
 a retainer ring having a plurality of axially extending flange portions disposed around a circumference thereof, said retainer ring slidably coupled to said cap member, said axially extending flange portions are angled relative to a position normal said ring, and said plurality of axially extending flange portions corresponding to said plurality of ridges, 
 wherein when the cap assembly is inserted into the wheel, said retainer ring slides along said cap member and said ridges force said axially extending flange portions to said position normal said ring to attach said flange portions to the wheel; and 
 said cylindrical portion includes at least one guide member, and said retainer ring includes at least one slot corresponding to said guide member. 
 
     
     
       8. The cap assembly of  claim 7 , wherein said flange portions include a tab including a first contour, said first contour engaging the wheel. 
     
     
       9. The cap assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said tab includes a second contour and each of said ridges include a lip, said second contour engaging said lip. 
     
     
       10. The cap assembly of  claim 7 , wherein said flange portions include a tab having a contour and said ridge includes a lip, said contour corresponding to said lip. 
     
     
       11. The cap assembly of  claim 7 , wherein said axially extending flange portions are disposed at 120 degree intervals around said circumference of said ring. 
     
     
       12. The cap assembly of  claim 7 , wherein said ridges are disposed at 120 degree intervals around said circumference of said cap member. 
     
     
       13. A cap assembly for insertion into an aperture of a wheel defined by sidewalls of the wheel, the cap assembly comprising:
 a cup-shaped cap member having a plurality of ridges that project radially outwardly disposed around a circumference thereof; and 
 a retainer ring having a plurality of axially extending flange portions disposed around a circumference thereof, said retainer ring slidably coupled to said cup-shaped member, said axially extending flange portions are angled relative to a position normal said ring, and said plurality of axially extending flange portions corresponding to said plurality of ridges, 
 wherein when the cap assembly is inserted into the aperture, said retainer ring slides along said cup-shaped member and said ridges force said axially extending flange portions to said position normal said ring to attach said flange portions to the sidewalls of the aperture; and 
 said cup-shaped member includes at least one guide member, and said retainer ring includes at least one slot corresponding to said guide member. 
 
     
     
       14. The cap assembly of  claim 13 , wherein said flange portions include a tab including a first contour, said first contour engaging the sidewalls. 
     
     
       15. The cap assembly of  claim 14 , wherein said tab includes a second contour and said ridges each include a lip, said second contour engaging said lip. 
     
     
       16. The cap assembly of  claim 14 , wherein engagement of said tab including said first contour to the sidewalls radially locks the cap assembly to the wheel.